Irish Ayes by the numbers.

• Position: TRENDS & TRANSITIONS - Brief article

St. Patrick's Day began as a holiday to honor the patron saint of Ireland, but has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish. The world's first St. Patrick's Day parade--on March 17, 1762, in New York City--featured Irish soldiers serving in the English military. It became an annual event.

34.1 MILLION

Number of U.S. residents who claimed Irish ancestry in 2012, more than seven times the population of Ireland itself (4.6 million).

NO. 2

Rank of reported Irish ancestry in the United States, trailing only German.

2.5 MILLION

Number of New Yorkers claiming Irish ancestry, among the most of any state.

24.1%

Percentage of Bostonians who claim Irish ancestry, one of the highest in...